Golf putter with a removeable insert and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A golf putter including a plurality of visual aids for assisting the golfer to more consistently assume a good head and body position and to better putt a golf ball toward a remote hole. The putter head is engaged with any one of a plurality of detachable flanges that have any one of a number of different shapes. The shaped flanges are designed to aid the golfer in directing the golf ball toward a remote hole. The putter is provided with first and second linear markings to assist in soling the putter head. The second linear marking is disposed rearwardly of the first linear marking and at a position vertically above or below the first linear marking. When viewed from above, the first and second linear markings are aligned when the putter head is correctly soled and the golfer can sole the putter by aligning the first and second markings. The detachable flange may also include a first reflective surface and a second non-reflective surface. The reflective surface is used during practice sessions to aid the golfer in correctly positioning his head by aligning his eyes along the second linear marker. The flange is removed and rotated so that the non-reflective surface faces upwardly during USGA golf games. The putter may also be provided with spaced apart weight ports that receive small weights to balance the putter head and help the golfer hold it in the correct orientation for striking the ball well.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a standard utility application claiming priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/702,131, filed Jul. 25, 2005,the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to golf clubs. More particularly, theinvention relates to a golf putter. Specifically, the invention relatesto a golf putter that includes a variety of visual aids useful fortraining the golfer to correctly position their head and body so as tomore consistently putt well.

2. Background Information

Golfers are always trying to improve their game and, consequently, theyare always seeking out aids, teaching tools, videos and programs thatwill assist them in improving their game and achieving their potentialas a golfer. The golfer may utilize all of these resources yet stillencounter problems when they are actually out on the course. Manyamateurs presume that the most important part of the game is driving theball to the green and they consequently spend a lot of theirself-improvement efforts in correcting their strokes to minimize slicingor hooking of the ball and to drive the ball as far as possible. Whilethese aspects of the game are important, most golfers tend to dropstrokes when they reach the putting green. This is because the typicalgolfer tends to have little awareness of the position of their body, andespecially their head, in relation to the position of the ball when theyare putting. The golfer's stance and head position are extremelyimportant in determining where the putted ball will land up once struck.Even if the golfer is aware that their head position and their stanceare of great importance for the accuracy of their putt, they may notknow if the stance they are actually assuming is correct and appropriatefor viewing the correct line to the hole. Typical amateur golfers tendto position the putter head on the grass, glance up at the hole once ortwice to try and ensure that they are putting the ball in the correctdirection and then they strike the ball. On occasion, the position ofthe golfer's head relative to the putter head is accidentally correctand the putt is good. At other times, the golfer's head is not in a goodposition relative to the putter head and the putt is bad. The golfer istherefore inconsistent in their putting and their overall game isweakened.

There is therefore a need in the art for a device which will aid thegolfer in more consistently and correctly positioning their head andassuming the correct putting stance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention comprises a golf club, and morespecifically a putter, that includes a plurality of visual aids forassisting the golfer to more consistently assume a good head and bodyposition for putting. The club includes a putter head mounted on ashaft. The putter head is engaged with any one of a plurality ofdetachable flanges that have any one of a number of different shapes.The shaped flanges are designed to aid the golfer in directing the golfball toward a remote hole. The putter head is also provided with a firstlinear marking on its upper surface to help the golfer line the putterand ball up with the remote hole. The putter head furthers include asecond linear marking disposed rearwardly and at a position verticallyabove or below the first linear marking. The second linear marking isprovided to aid the golfer in soling the putter head, i.e., to help thegolfer hold the putter head in a substantially horizontal position onthe ground. This is accomplished by aligning the first and second linearmarkings with each other. As a further aid, the removeable flangeprovided preferably includes a first reflective surface and a secondnon-reflective surface. Both of the first and second surfaces are markedwith a second linear marking which is used as described above. Thereflective surface of the flange, however, is used to help the golferassume the correct head position relative to the putter head. The golferlooks into the reflective surface and moves his head so that he can seethe reflection of his eyes positioned along the second linear marking orslightly below the same The golfer uses this reflective surface to trainhimself to hold his head correctly. The reflective surface is notallowed, however, in United States Golf Association (USGA) sanctionedgames. In order to bring the putter into compliance with USGAregulations, the flange can easily be removed from the putter head,flipped over and reinserted into the putter head so that thenon-reflective surface is facing upwardly. The putter of the presentinvention is also provided with spaced apart weight ports into whichsmall weights may be inserted so as to balance the putter head and helpthe golfer hold the putter head in a correct orientation for successfulputting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the bestmode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, areset forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings andare particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in theappended claims.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a golfer using the golf putter with areflective head insert in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the putter head showing a small section of-the shaft of the club extending outwardly away from the putter head;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the golf putter head showing the removeableflange engaged with the putter head and having the reflective surfacefacing outwardly;

FIG. 4 is an exploded top view of the putter head; the removeable flangeand the reflective insert;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional rear view of the putter head through line5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top view of the putter head through line 6-6of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the golf putter head with the removeable flangethat has been rotated through 180° so that the non-reflective surface ofthe flange is facing upwardly;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a golf putter head in accordance with thepresent invention and showing a second embodiment of a removeable flangeengaged therewith;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a golf putter head in accordance with thepresent invention and showing a third embodiment of a removeable flangeengaged therewith;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative front view of the golf putter head with thetoe of the putter head lifted off the ground;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative top view of the golf putter head of FIG. 10,showing the relative position of the first linear marking and secondlinear marking;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative front view of the golf putter head with theheel of the putter head lifted off the ground;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative top view of the golf putter head of FIG. 12,showing the relative position of the first linear marking and secondlinear marking;

FIG. 14 is an illustrative front view of the golf putter head correctlysoled on the ground; and

FIG. 15 is an illustrative top view of the golf putter head of FIG. 14,showing the relative position of the first linear marking and secondlinear marking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a golfer 10 holding a golf putter 12in accordance with the present invention. Putter 12 includes a handle16, a shaft 18 and a putter head 20. Putter head 20 is illustrated asbeing soled on the ground 14, i.e., putter head 20 is disposedsubstantially horizontally relative to ground 14. Golfer 10 isillustrated standing with their head 21 and eyes 22 positioned correctlyover putter head 20, so that golfer 10 is ready to most accurately puttthe ball 23 into a remote hole (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, and in accordance with a specific feature of thepresent invention, putter head 20 comprises a generally U-shaped base 24that engages a removeable flange 26. Base 24 preferably is manufacturedfrom aircraft aluminum and flange 26 preferably is manufactured fromstainless steel. The aircraft-grade aluminum gives the putting stroke asoft feel and gives the golfer optimum control of ball 23. Flange 26 hasan upper side 26 a and a lower side 26 b, with the upper side 26 aincluding a reflective surface, as will be hereinafter described, andthe lower side 26 b including a non-reflective surface. Flange 26 can beselectively removed from base 24, flipped over through over 180° andreinserted into base 24 depending on whether the golfer wants thereflective surface or non-reflective surface facing outwardly away fromthe ground 14 and toward his eyes 22. Typically, flange 26 would beretained in base 24 with the reflective surface facing upwardly duringpractice sessions. During an actual game, flange 26 would be reversed sothat the non-reflective surface would face upwardly so that the putterwould meet the rules and regulations of the USGA.

Base 24 preferably is an integrally formed member having a front wall 28and a pair of substantially parallel legs 30, 32 extending outwardly andrearwardly away from front wall 28. Legs 30, 32 are spaced a distanceapart from each other and thereby define a gap 42 between them. Frontwall 28 includes a front face 52 adapted to contact ball 23, a back face54, an upper surface 46 and a lower surface 48. The shaft 18 of putter12 extends upwardly and outwardly away from upper surface 46. Shaft 18may be received within an aperture (not shown) in upper surface 46 or itmay be welded to upper surface 46. A pair of spaced apart apertures 44are provided in back face 54 of front wall 28 in the region disposedbetween legs 30 and 32. As may be best seen in FIGS. 4 & 5, a bottomwall 40 extends rearwardly away from front wall 28 and proximate thelower surface 48 thereof. Bottom wall 40 preferably is generallytriangular in shape and extends into gap 42. The outermost side edge ofeach leg 30, 32 preferably is tapered inwardly so that putter head 20has an aerodynamic profile that allows air to flow more fluidly over andaround putter head 20. Legs 30, 32 terminate in terminal ends 76 and 78respectively. The bottom wall 40 terminates in an apex 40 a that isdisposed a distance inwardly of terminal ends 76, 78 of legs 30, 32.

In accordance with one of the specific features of the presentinvention, upper surface 46 of front wall 28 includes a first linearmarking 50 that is disposed substantially at right angles to front face52 of putter 12. First linear marking 50 is adapted to be lined up witha remote hole (not shown) in which golfer 10 is attempting to sink hisgolf ball 23. First linear marking 50 preferably is in the form of agroove formed in upper surface 46 and extending between front face 52and back face 54 of front wall 28. Alternatively, first linear marking50 may comprise a ridge or a line that is physically marked on uppersurface 46 in paint, ink or the like. First linear marking 50 preferablyterminates in a small arrow-shaped protuberance 56 which extendsrearwardly into gap 42.

In accordance with another specific feature of the present invention,flange 26 is removeably received in gap 42 and is detachably secured tobase 24. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, flange 26 issecured to rear surface 54 of front wall 28. However, it will beunderstood that flange 26 could also be secured to one or both legs 30,32 or to a combination of the legs 30, 32 and rear face 54 of front wall28. Flange 26 comprises a housing 58, preferably having an invertedV-shaped back end 60, a substantially planar front end 62 and anintermediate portion 64 disposed between front and back ends 62, 60.Back surface 54 of front wall 28 may be provided with a recess shaped toreceive the front end 62 of flange 26 therein. Both of the back end 60and front end 62 of flange 26 extend laterally outwardly beyondintermediate portion 64 so that an indentation 65 is effectively formedon either side of housing 58. Intermediate portion 64 has an uppersurface 64 a and a lower surface 64 b, with upper surface 64 a defininga recess 66 therein. Recess 66 is configured to retain a mirrored plate68 therein. Both the recess 66 and mirrored plate 68 can be of anydesired shape, but mirrored plate 68 preferably is retained withinrecess 66 by both an adhesive (not shown) and the flanges 64 c formed inintermediate portion 64 surrounding at least a portion of recess 66.Second linear marking 70 a is inscribed on mirrored plate 68. Thissecond linear marking 70 a may be in the form of a centrally disposedgroove or ridge or simply be a line that is physically marked onmirrored plate 68 in paint, ink or the like. Second linear marking 70 ais designed to be alignable with first linear marking 50 on front wall28 when flange 26 is oriented in putter head 20 so that the reflectivesurface 66 faces upwardly and outwardly, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

The lower surface 64 b of flange 26 has a non-reflective surface. Lowersurface 64 b is also provided with a central groove, ridge or line thatserves as a second linear marking 70 b. This second linear marking 70 bis designed to be alignable with first linear marking 50 on front wall28, when flange 26 is flipped over in putter head 20 so that thenon-reflective surface faces upwardly, as will be hereinafter described.

Flange 26 is secured to base 24 by a plurality of fasteners 72 that areinserted into holes 74 in front end 62 of flange 26 and then intothreaded apertures 44 in rear face 54 of front wall 28. As may be bestseen in FIGS. 4 & 5, fasteners 72 preferably are Allen screws that arerotatable by way of an Allen key (not shown) that is inserted throughapertures 61 in back end 60 of housing 58. When fasteners 72 are rotatedin a first direction, they secure flange 26 to base 24. When fasteners72 are rotated in a second direction, they release flange 26 from base24. When flange 26 is secured to base 24, the back end 60 of flange 26preferably is substantially continuous with the terminal ends 76, 78 oflegs 32, 30 respectively, so that putter head 12 has an aerodynamictrailing edge. Flange 26 is secured to base 24 in such a manner thatwhen legs 30, 32 are resting on ground 14, flange 26 is held a spaceddistance above bottom wall 40 (FIG. 5) resulting in less drag on theputter 12 as the stroke is executed. This distance is ideally around4/10 inch.

In accordance with another specific feature of the present invention,each leg 30, 32 includes a longitudinal bore 34, 36 (FIG. 6) configuredto receive one or more weights 38 therein. The weights 38 provided maybe of any suitable size, such as around 15 g or 30 g each, and one ormore weights 38 may be selectively inserted into one or both bores 34,36. This enables golfer 10 to balance putter head 20 in a manner that ispleasing to the golfer. Weights 38 preferably include a threadableportion 38 a (FIG. 6) that engages an internally threaded portion 34 a,36 a of bore 34, 36 respectively. Each weight 38 may be provided with arecess (not shown) which allows it to be inserted or removed by anAllen. It should be noted that the gap 42 formed between legs 30 and 32in conjunction with weights 38 results in a putter head with anincreased moment of inertia and a center of gravity that is positionedabout 1.4″ from the club face. This reduces backspin in the golf ball 23and results in a smoother stroke.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a differently shaped flange 126 forengagement in putter head 20. Flange 126 has an upper surface having ashaped mirrored insert 168 including a second linear marking 170 a.Flange 126 has a V-shaped back end 162, the apex 162 a of which isdisposed inwardly of the terminal ends 76, 78 of legs 32, 30. All othercomponents of flange 126 are substantially identical to that of flange26, including the feature that the lower surface (not shown) of theflange 126 has a non-reflective surface and a second linear markingthereon. Back end 162 of flange 126 is again substantially continuouswith terminal ends 76, 78 of base 24.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another shape of flange, being that indicatedgenerally at 226. Flange 226 includes a peripheral wall 262 that is notsubstantially continuous with terminal ends 76, 78 of legs 32, 30.Flange 226 includes an upper surface having a mirrored insert 268therein and a lower surface (not shown) that is non-reflective. As withprevious embodiments, flange 226 is easily removed by unscrewing theAllen screws (not shown) that secure it to the base 24. It will beunderstood that any suitably shaped flange can be received within thegap 42 between legs 30, 32 of base 24 without departing from the spiritof the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 10-15, putter 12 is used in the following manner. (Itshould be noted that the specific elements of the putter head, save forthe front wall and reflective insert, have been removed from thesefigures for the sake of clarity.) When the golfer is preparing to putt,he places putter head 20 on the ground 14. Normally, the golfer wouldnot be able to determine very easily if the putter head was soled ornot, i.e., if the putter head 20 was lying with both the toe portion 20a and heel portion 20 b in contact with the ground 14. As will bedescribed hereinafter, the putter 12 of the present invention solvesthis problem.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the situation where toe portion 20 a is outof contact with ground 14 and as a consequence, from the viewpoint ofthe golfer, the first linear marking 50 lies closer to the golfer thandoes the second linear marking 70 a. The non-alignment of first linearmarking 50 and second linear marking 70 a tells the golfer that he doesnot have putter head 20 soled properly. The fact that the first linearmarking 50 is disposed closer to the golfer than the second linearmarking 70 a, lets the golfer know that that toe portion 20 a is liftedoff ground 14.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the situation where heel portion 20 b is outof contact with ground 14. In this instance, first linear marking 50 isdisposed further away from the golfer than is second linear marking 70a. This tells the golfer that the heel portion 20 b is lifted off theground 14.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the situation where putter head 20 iscorrectly soled on ground 14. The golfer can tell the putter head iscorrectly positioned because first linear marking 50 lies in completealignment with second linear marking 70 a.

The golfer can therefore use the relative positions of first linearmarking 50 and second linear marking 70 a to quickly determine whetherhe has soled the putter head 20 or if he has to adjust its position tosole it. The adjustment is accomplished by simply pushing the shaft 18slightly away from his body or pulling the shaft slightly toward hisbody. Pushing the shaft 18 of club 12 slightly away from his body willlower toe portion 20 a and pulling shaft 18 slightly toward his bodywill lower heel portion 20 a. As both the upper and lower surfaces 64 a,64 b of flange 26 include a second linear marking, namely 70 a or 70 b,the alignment or non-alignment of first linear marking 50 with therelevant one of second linear marking 70 a or 70 b, can immediately tellthe golfer how to adjust the orientation of putter head 20 if he is in apractice session or if he is playing an actual game.

It is envisaged that putter 12 might be sold as a base 24 that may beselectively engaged with one or more of a plurality of differentlyshaped flanges such as flanges 26, 126 and 226 shown in FIGS. 1, 8 & 9.The golfer would then select a first-shaped flange of his choice andattach the same to the base 24. If he decides that the selectedfirst-shaped flange is not helping him in the manner he desires, hecould simply detach the first-shaped flange and replace it with asecond-shaped flange.

The golfer can train himself to correctly position his head by utilizingthe mirrored inserts 68, 168 or 268 provided on any of the shapedflanges 26, 126 and 226. For instance, when the mirrored insert 68 offlange 26 is facing upwardly on putter head 20, the golfer will be ableto see the reflection 22 a of one or both of his eyes 22 in insert 68.When putter head 20 is properly soled on ground 14, the golfer wouldmove his head until the reflection 22 a of his eyes 22 is disposed alongsecond linear marking 70 a or just slightly below second linear marking70 a. Repeated positioning of his head in this manner will help thegolfer train himself to correctly position his head under circumstanceswhere the flange 26 is positioned with the non-reflective surface facingupwardly and toward him.

Putter 12 is also designed so that the golfer can add weights 38 intoone or the other or both of the bores 34, 36 in legs 32, 30 in order tobalance putter head 20 and thereby reduce his tendency to hold theputter head with either the toe portion 20 a or heel portion 20 b out ofcontact with ground 14. Alternatively, if the golfer finds that he playsbetter with the putter in a slightly unbalanced mode, he can add one ormore weights to one or the other bore 34, 36 to cause the putter head 20to be more easily held in the toe-up or heel-up position. The golfer canalso utilize the relative positioning of first linear marking 50 andsecond linear marking 70 a or 70 b to determine how to habitually holdputter 12 if they wish to play with the putter head in the toe-up orheel-up position. If they wish to play with putter head 20 in toe upposition, then shaft 18 is pulled slightly toward the body to ensurethat first linear marking 50 is positioned closer to the body than issecond linear marking 70 a or 70 b. If the golfer wishes to play withputter head in the heel up position, then they push shaft 18 slightlyaway from their body to move first linear marking 50 so that it laysfurther from their body than does the second linear marking 70 a or 70b.

The golfer is trained by frequent and regular use of the alignmentmechanism, i.e., the first and second linear markings 50, 70, toconsistently position their head relative to the putter head 20; and toposition the putter head 20 in a particular manner relative to theground; and to line up a putter head with the ball and with a remoteflag/hole. Regular use of the weights 38 also help the golfer moreconsistent hold the putter at a particular angle. Essentially, all ofthese aids help the golfer develop his muscle memory by helping him toconsistently position his body and most specifically position hisshoulders, head and eyes relative to the putter head.

It will be understood that while flange 26 is shown as being reversiblyconnected to said front wall 28, flange 26 could alternatively beconnected to one or both legs 30, 32 or to said legs and said frontwall. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment has shown the flange26 mounted within a gap 42 defined between legs 30, 32, flange 26 couldalternatively be mounted in a recess formed in the putter headrearwardly of front wall 28.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A golf putter for use by a golfer to putt golf balls, said golfputter comprising: a shaft; a handle disposed at a first end of theshaft; a putter head disposed at a second end of the shaft, and whereinsaid putter head includes: a front wall having a front face adapted tostrike the golf ball; a rear face; an upper surface and a lower surface;a mounting area; and a flange removably mounted to the mounting area. 2.The golf putter as defined in claim 1, wherein the putter head includesa pair of spaced apart legs extending rearwardly away from the rear faceof the front wall; said legs defining a gap therebetween.
 3. The golfputter as defined in claim 2, wherein the flange is sized to be receivedwithin the gap between the legs.
 4. The golf putter as defined in claim3, wherein the flange is removably mounted to at least one of the frontwall and legs of the putter head.
 5. The golf putter as defined in claim1, wherein the flange has a first reflective surface and a secondnon-reflective surface; and wherein said flange is selectivelyreversible so as to cause one of said first and second surfaces to faceupwardly toward the golfer when said putter is positioned on the groundfor striking the golf ball.
 6. The golf putter as defined in claim 5,wherein said flange includes an upper surface defining a recess therein;and wherein the reflective surface comprises a mirrored insert disposedwithin said recess.
 7. The golf putter as defined in claim 1, whereinthe upper surface of the front wall includes a first linear markingdisposed substantially at right angles to the upper surface; said firstlinear marking being adapted to be lined up with a remote hole intowhich the golf ball is to be putted.
 8. The golf putter as defined inclaim 7, wherein the first linear marking extends between the front faceand rear face of the front wall.
 9. The golf putter as defined in claim8, wherein a second linear marking is disposed substantially parallel tothe first linear marking; and the first and second linear markings aredisposed on the putter head at different heights relative to each other.10. The golf putter as defined in claim 9, wherein each of the first andsecond linear markings comprises one of a groove, a ridge and a physicalline provided upon the upper surface and flange respectively.
 11. Thegolf putter as defined in claim 10, wherein the upper surface of thefront wall is disposed vertically above the flange when the flange ismounted on the putter head.
 12. The golf putter as defined in claim 3,wherein the flange includes a front end and a rear end; and wherein thefront end of the flange abuts the rear surface of the front wall whenthe flange is mounted on the putterhead.
 13. The golf putter as definedin claim 12, wherein the rear surface of the front wall defines a shapedrecess therein and the front end of the flange is complementary sizedand shaped to be received within the shaped recess.
 14. The golf putteras defined in claim 12, wherein the flange includes a pair of opposingsides extending between the front end and the rear end thereof; andwherein an aperture is formed between each of the legs and the sides ofthe flange when the flange is mounted on the putterhead.
 15. The golfputter as defined in claim 14, wherein the front end and rear ends ofthe flange extend outwardly beyond the sides of the flange.
 16. The golfputter as defined in claim 12, wherein the rear end of the flange is oneof V-shaped, inverted V-shaped and substantially circular in shape. 17.The golf putter as defined in claim 3, wherein each of the legs includesa bore therein and said putter further comprises a plurality of weightedmembers selectively receivable within one or both of the bores of thelegs.
 18. The golf putter as defined in claim 3, wherein the putter headfurther includes a bottom wall that extends outwardly from the frontwall and terminates a spaced distance inwardly from a terminal end ofeach of the legs.
 19. The golf putter as defined in claim 18, whereinthe flange is mounted a spaced distance above the bottom wall.
 20. Amethod of putting a golf ball into a remote hole, comprising: providinga putter having a shaft with a handle disposed at a first end and aputter head disposed at a second end thereof; said putter head having afirst linear marking and a second linear marking disposed thereon, saidfirst and second linear markings being disposed at different heightsrelative to one another; positioning the putter head adjacent a golfball; aligning the first linear marking on the putter head with the golfball and a remote hole into which the golf ball is to be putted;checking the relative position of the second linear marking relative tothe first linear marking; aligning the first and second linear markingswith each other; striking the golf ball with a front face of the putterhead.
 21. The method of putting a golf ball into a remote hole asdefined in claim 20; wherein the step of aligning the first and secondlinear markings includes one of the steps of: moving the handle of thegolf club slightly away from the body of the golfer if the first linearmarking is disposed closer to the golfer's body than is the secondlinear marking; and moving the handle of the golf club slightly towardthe golfer's body if the first linear marking is disposed further fromthe golfer's body than is the second linear marking.
 22. The method ofputting a golf ball into a remote hole as defined in claim 20, furthercomprising the steps of: positioning the golfer's head over a reflectivesurface on the putter head; where said reflective surface has the secondlinear marking disposed thereon; aligning at least one of the golfer'seyes with the second linear marking prior to striking the ball.
 23. Themethod of putting a golf ball into a remote hole as defined in claim 20,further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of flanges fordetachable engagement with the putter head; wherein each of said flangeshas a different shape; selecting a first one of the plurality of flangesand engaging the same with the putter head; selecting a second one ofthe plurality of flanges and replacing the first flange with the secondflange.
 24. The method of putting a golf ball into a remote hole asdefined in claim 20, further comprising the steps of: providing at leastone of the plurality of flanges with a first reflective surface and asecond non-reflective surface; engaging the at least one of theplurality of flanges with the putter head so that one of the first andsecond surfaces faces outwardly toward the golfer; detaching the atleast one of the plurality of flanges from the putter head and rotatingthe same; engaging the rotated flange with the putter head so that theother of the first and second surfaces faces outwardly toward thegolfer.